I have a new laptop with Leap 42.3. I want to install my Windows OS on virtualbox, but I’m running into all sorts of challenges. I hope someone here can help.
The machine is a HP Elitebook 850 G4 with 256 SSD 16 GB i7 core. I have installed version 5.1.32-42.1 of Virtualbox. I haven’t successfully installed the guest additions, which may be relevant. When I attempt to add them it says that the virtualbox-guest-kmp-default program conflicts with the already installed host version. Its exactly the same version. I was attempting to install through Yast. I can start a new thread, if that is the main problem.
The first problem I had was this laptop has no DVD/CD drive, yet a DVD is exactly what HP sends me with the Windows 10 recovery software. At first I attempted to download the Win10 iso and burn a bootable USB. I attempted on my son’s mac, but had no success despite multiple methods. I then attempted the same on my old laptop which has Leap dual booted with Windows 7. I attempted in Windows, planning to use rufus, but when it came time to download the iso, it appeared that microsoft was going to attempt to upgrade my Win7 to Win10 instead of sending me the file. So I aborted that method. Maybe there is a work around there.
After failing to make a bootable USB, I went out and purchased an external DVD/CD burner. I planned to use the DVD that came with my computer. I just now fired up Virtualbox with that plugged in. I went to “devices” and selected it, yet I get the same error message, that there is no bootable media. I pressed F12 and went through every option there, to make sure I was booting from the correct location. No success.
I’m made some progress and have a more specific question now:
How do I get Virtualbox to recognize the bootable Windows ISO from USB/DVD?
An update on my progress: I successfully installed the guest additions of the matching version by downloading the file from the link below and then adding through the Virtualbox GUI >settings>preferences>extensions> then clicking on the folder to add. I found the file in downloads and viola! I chose the second extension package listed at this download site:
I also confirmed that I have a bootable version of Windows 10. I finally achieved this by burning the ISO file to DVD on my mac. I tested it on the Virtualbox machine on my mac and it recognizes the file and installs Win10 like a breeze.
But when I use the same bootable DVD on my external DVD drive on my new HP laptop with Virtualbox, no success. I successfully configured the Windows 10 machine, just like I did on the mac. I enable the USB device and it still gives me the error message “no bootable media found, system haulted”. I’ve tried switching the USB controllers from 1.1 to 2.0 to 3.0. It didn’t help. I rebooted the whole laptop after the guest additions were installed. No success.
I’m loving this solution. Downloading the ISO now. I suspected I was suffering needlessly with my attempts. Thanks!
The point about the product key is well taken. I read in the comments of an ubuntu forum, that someone had used the product key off the bottom of the computer and it activated windows perfectly. No need for a phone call.
I planned to do the same, but the new HP laptops hide the product key in BIOS. The only method I see for obtaining the key, requires a .exe tool. So I would need to have Windows installed on the laptop. I’ve tried snoping around BIOS to see if I could find the key somewhere. No success. I have an active post in the HP forum, asking for other ways to get my key. It is still unanswered.
Anyone here have any ideas how to extract the key from BIOS?
Hi
I use produkey, normally I pop it on a rufus generated win[7,8.1/X] install and just run from a command prompt… I think a few folks just switch to the developer version, they give a free key for this?
I just checked the first BIOS page again. There was no Windows product key to be found. I’ve also looked in the “System information” section and another area called “electronic labels” and everywhere else I can navigate to. No product key. At least not in the 5 digit sequence that I recognize.
I’m interested in the produkey software you use, don’t totally understand how you are using it. Where are you installing the windows OS exactly? My understanding is I have to have it directly on my laptop and then there are a couple software programs that can retrieve the key from BIOS. The problem is I don’t want to install windows as a dual boot.
By the way, your technique of directly downloading the ISO worked like a charm. I have the Virtualbox Windows program up and running! Thanks.
Hi
I just boot the USB key like I’m going to install, then there is an option (Advanced/Repair) rather than install, then here just select open a command line interface. Here you can just switch to the extracted produkey directory on the install medium and run the command to see the product key.
So via rufus create the install usb device for the windows install, then just extract produkey and then copy the directory over to the install media…
Here is the WinX install media… see the produkey directory…
By the way, the windows 10 totally accepted the key for activation without any flaws. No need for phone calls or other hassles.
I also noticed in the license details that they allow the OS to be installed in a virutalization setting, as long as only one copy is used. So its fully legal.
So for others who might want to use the windows OS that comes with their computer on a virtualbox, it is possible.
Any ideas.